Research and development for gas turbine system in GTHTR300

Abstract

The GTHTR300 aiming at electric generation with its thermal efficiency of 46% is a safe and economically competitive HTGR in 2010s. A helium gas turbine system connected with the reactor is designed based on existing technologies developed for fossil gas turbine systems. However, there are some uncertainties in performance of a helium gas compressor, electric magnetic bearings and control system. In order to confirm these technical uncertainties, a 1/3 scale model of the compressor and 1/3 scale magnetic bearings will be manufactured and tested in the simulated condition of the GTHTR300. Also, a 5 MW helium gas loop composed of the gas turbine system and electric heaters will be constructed, and control performance during startup and shutdown, and off- normal transients such as loss of off site loads will be tested to streamline the gas turbine system. This paper describes R&D plans focusing on the 1/3 scale compressor model test as well as unique design features of the GTHTR300.